The wrap party invasion cast a long, dark shadow. The celebratory high was gone, replaced by a grim, focused determination. The trackers had been disposed of, and security details were assigned to the key cast and crew, but the psychological damage was done. The enemy had shown its face in their moment of triumph, a chilling reminder that the finish line was an illusion.

In the final, frantic days before the festival premiere, their work took on a new, sharper edge. The post-production ...